Flexible connector for conductor core cable



Feb. 7, 1961 c. EQREESBY FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR FOR CONDUCTOR CORE CABLE Filed Feb. 13, 1956 FIG. I.

R Mm x [CL- 4 a 0 pm m ffl: Mm m A 7 6 ,m I z m M 4'4 u w M 6 O 4 3 a .1. A///// \fixaww w -wwq n m z m w a u a a F ATTORNEY.

Carl E. Reesby, Bellaire,

FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR FOR CONDUCTOR CORE CABLE Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Welex, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 13, 1956, Ser. No. 565,203

1 Claim. c1. 339-7 ging cables.

After a well has been drilled, various surveys may be made prior to and during its completion. Logs of such surveys include those for well bore diameter, well bore temperature and various formation characteristics. The logging units which perform these surveys usually have the conductor cable, cable winch, and recording equipment integrally constructed and the various surveys are logged by attaching an appropriate sensing tool to the cable for each. Thus, several types of logs may be made from the same logging unit by traversing the well bore with a prescribed sensing element. Various perforating and coring tools may also be lowered and actuated from the same cable.

It is therefore the general object of this invention to provide a flexible cable connector suitable for conductor core cable which may be readily connected and disconnected, and provide a firm and reliable connection for said cable.

The cable connector provided by this invention has two members each of which have means to be connected to cable. The members are adapted to be selectively interconnected by a ball and socket means. Spline means between said ball and said socket provide ready connection and disconnection in a first relative angular position of said ball to said socket and further provide longitudinal'retention of said ball in said socket when said ball is in a second angular position within said socket. Restraining means between said ball and said socket provide angular retention of said ball and said socket to said second relative radial position. Passage for electrical conductors and connectors may be provided through said members. The arrangement is such that said ball may be inserted into said socket in a first relative angular position and rotated to and restrained in a second relative angular position.

With the above and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a well bore showing the connector as will be normally used with well logging equipment.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section showing the connector as assembled for use.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross section taken at 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken at 4-4 of Figure 3.

As illustrated in Figure l, a connector 10, as provided by this invention, connects a conductor core logging cable 12. Suspended by cable 12 in a well bore 14 is a sensing tool 16. Supporting cable 12 is a sheave 18.

Referring to Figure 2, the connector is comprised of an upper member 20 and a lower member 22. Said members 20 and 22 are adapted to be detachably con- United States Patent '0 24. The socket 24 has been provided with a segment of its axial diameter increased from the center of the socket to the entry of the socket in such manner that the socket surface becomes the minor diameter of an internal spline 29. Thus, when in a substantially longitudinal and aligned position relative to socket 24, the ball 26 may readily be inserted in said socket. Rotation of ball 26 substantially within socket 24 will engage the spherical land surfaces and provide longitudinal retention of said ball within said socket.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, a screw 28, located in ball 26 and extending into a slot 30 provided in upper-member 20, serves as means of preventing relative rotation of said upper member with lower member 22. It may be readily seen that this arrangement in no manner restrains angular articulation of said member 20 relative to member 22 and that the normal full axial deflection provided by a ball and socket joint is retained. It is pointed out that the angular retention screw 28 may be replaced by other means. An example foreseen is a spring loaded retaining button extending outwardly from ball 26 into slot 30.

Each of said members 20 and 22 is adapted to receive and be attached to a section ofcable 12 by means of an anchor lug 32. Although this means is herein shown as a mechanical device it is pointed out that other types of lugs, such as poured zinc, would prove satisfactory.

Each of said members 20 and 22' is also provided with a tapered spring 34 which is attached to said member and encompasses a section of cable 12. As is well known the purpose of such springs are to prevent chafing and to relieve stress concentrations. As herein illustrated the spring EMv also serves to guidethe connector 10 through the groove of sheave 18 and also to prevent hanging of said connector on borehole projections.

A common passage 36 is provided through members 20 and 22 and houses therein the conductors contained in cable 12 and also an electrical plug 38 which connects said conductors. As illustrated, a grounding cable 40, which serves to augment the electrical contact of the connected members 20 and 22, is also connected by plug 38. It is readily discerned, however, that two conductors will require a somewhat larger plug 38 than would one. Thus, when very small structures are provided, this grounding conductor may be dispensed with and the contact of members 20 and 22 relied on for electrical continuity.

It is pointed out that, as a structural variation, one of members 20 and 22, member 22 for example, may be adapted to be threadedly or otherwise connected directly to the sensing tool rather than to the cable. While this would no longer provide the advantage of allowing the connector to pass over sheave 18, some definite advantages would still be retained. As an example, the fiexure of the connector would reduce the cable stress at said connector when lifting a sensing tool from a horizontal position by means of the cable.

It is also pointed out that the connector could serve as a safety release by predetermining the stress area of the reduced diameter found at the juncture 42 of ball 26 with lower member 22. If the tool becomes sanded in or otherwise caught in the well bore, a definite point of separation could then be established without incurring the risk of parting the cable at some unforeseen point.

In operation, the members 20 and 22 are attached to respective sections of cable 12 as heretofore described. The splines provided in ball 26 and socket are placed in registry. The ball is then inserted in .socket 24 and rotated until the spherical landportions of the ball and socket are in registry. As provided, the screw 28 is then inserted through 'slot3'0 and into 'ball 26. The conmotor is now free to articulate'through 360 and to a deflection determined 'by thesocket opening and the diameter of'juncture 42 between'ball '26'and lower-member 22. Models of the invention 'as *herein illustrated and described have been "constructed to such proportions that 'the connector "willfreely'pass over'a sheave having a root 'di'ameterof about 34 inches.

It is pointedoutthat thougha preferred embodiment of this invention hasbeen'illustrated and described herein, various'ehan'gesmay bemade by those'skilled in this linking one end of a first elongated hollow member to one end of a second elongated hollow member; anchoring means to connect another "end of said second member to said cable; means to connect the otherend of "said first member to'a well tool, said socket having a ballentrance opening facing axially of said membersyspline "means in said socket adjacentsaid-opening, a portion of 4 said ball being cut away and cooperating with said spline means topermit insertion of said ball in said socket-and removal of said ball from said socket when said first member is in a first angular position about the longitudinal axes of said members relative to said second member and to efiect longitudinal retention of said ball in said socket when said first member: isrotated to a second angular position about the longitudinal axes of said members relative to=said-second member;retaining-mea-ns-to retain said first member in said second -*angular position relative to said secondamembento thereby retainsaidsball in said socket; and elctrical-connectionmeans within ,said first and second members to electrically connect said cable conductor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,504 Braman a. June.12,;1888 1,065,483 Turner. June24, 1913 1,110,475 Baier Sept. 15, 1914 2,147,491 Le Bus Feb. .14, 1939- 2,278,720 Follet Apr. '1, 1942 2,673,965 Cass Mar. 30, 1954 2,750,569 Moon June 12, 1956 .FOREIGN PATENTS 107,434 France Arm-14,1931 

